PORTER ADVANCES TO NCAA EAST QUARTERFINALS, ONE STEP FROM NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Freshman Kiara Porter put together one of the most impressive debut campaigns in VCU women's track & field history.

Porter decided that she didn't want that campaign to end just yet as the youngster became the second Ram in as many years to advance to the NCAA East Quarterfinals. Her time of 53.63 in the preliminary round was good for third in her heat of the 400-meter dash, advancing her to the quarterfinals.

The time was the 18th best on the day, with a total of 27 runners advancing to the next stage. Tomorrow's quarterfinal heats will take to the track at 6 p.m. with Porter slated for the second heat.

Last year, Quina Fortune reached the quarterfinal round in the 200-meter dash. The last Ram to reach the NCAA Championship round was Maria-Elena Calle (1999) in the 3000-meters.

In order to advance to the NCAA Championships, Porter will have to place in the top three of her heat or among the top three times not in the automatically advanced in the heats.